MA Double Degree Philosophy University of Bamberg

The double degree Master's programme in Philosophy offers a comprehensive philosophical education. Both partner programmes (MA in philosophy at Bamberg University and the Laurea magistrale in philosophy joint degree conferred by the University of Udine and the University of Trieste, Italy) offer a wide spectrum of courses in philosophy. The offer includes history of philosophy (ancient, medieval, modern, and contemporary); theoretical philosophy and metaphysics; moral, political, and legal philosophy; aesthetics and philosophy of art; philosophy of architecture; philosophy of music; philosophy of science; philosophy of language; and philosophy of the mind. Furthermore, both faculties have members specialising in continental philosophy as well as members specialising in analytical philosophy.

Students in the double degree programme can construct their educational path by choosing from among the offers of the two partner programmes. The aim of the double degree programme is to give a well-rounded, broad education. The curriculum stretches throughout history and covers both the analytical and the continental tradition. At the same time, each student is required to specialise in an area and to work on analytical and argumentative skills within in that area. The rationale behind this educational goal is that current philosophical research in a culturally multidimensional world requires the capacity to work with a very specialised method as well as the capacity to interact with other traditions and schools of thinking.

The double degree programme takes advantage of the variety of the specialisations of the faculties of the two partners and allows students to gain a unique education in the Italian and German philosophical culture. The investigation of the influence of the philosophical traditions of each country on the culture of the other is the strength of this path. Topics like the influence of German classical philosophy (Fichte, Schelling, and Hegel) on Italian neoidealism (Benedetto Croce and Giovanni Gentile) and the influence of Italian Medieval, Renaissance, and modern philosophy (Aquinas, Campanella, Bruno, Ficino, Vico) on German thinking as well as the developments of post-neoidealism and neorealism in contemporary philosophical debates (both analytical and continental) in Germany and Italy are the focus of this programme. Faculty members at the partner universities have strong research records in these fields. The influences of the philosophical exchanges between Italy and Germany on culture at large are also treated, particularly in reference to architecture, music, and literature. These are also among the specialities of the philosophy faculty members from the two partner universities.

The programme takes two academic years. Students spend the first academic year at the home university (where they first enrolled) and the second academic year abroad. No knowledge of the foreign language is a prerequisite for admission. In the first year at the home universities, students have to take 12 credits ECTS in the language of the partner institution if they do not already have an adequate knowledge of this language. In the second year, they can still use the language of their home institution for exams in the partner institution if they have not yet mastered the language of the partner institution. Indeed, many members of both faculties are fluent in English, Italian, and German. All three languages are used for teaching, seminars, workshops, and conferences.

Students in the double degree programme follow the normal path of the Master's programme of their home university in the first year. These include a fixed numbers of credits in theoretical philosophy and in history of philosophy. Students in the double degree programme have to fill the fixed number of free-choice credits with credits in the language of the partner institution and with seminars on Italian-German culture, which take place specifically for their benefit. In the second year, they complete the required credits at the partner institution. In this case, a fixed number of credits in history of philosophy and in theoretical philosophy are required. Furthermore, there will also be specific seminars on Italian-German culture at the host institution.

At Bamberg University, students will attend a mixture of lectures and seminars. At the Italian partners, there are mostly lectures, although short intensive seminars on specific topics are also often organised.

In both countries, seminar and workshops for students in the double degree programme are organised with a very interactive format, involving talks by professors, group discussions by students, and round tables involving both students and teaching staff or visiting professors. In this way, students are offered the opportunity to cooperate among themselves and with teaching staff while searching for solutions to specific problems. This kind of interactive teaching is a strength of the programme, which aims at forming philosophers capable of researching and cooperating with others in research projects and public discussions.

In the second half of the second year, students will work on their Master's thesis under the supervision of a member of the faculty of the partner institution. They will also be supervised by a member of the faculty of the home institution, which is where they will submit their theses.

Università di Trieste (Italy) and Università di Udine (Italy)

No internships are required.

When already registered, students must apply by 5 February 2027 at their home university (first semester of the MA).

For students applying for the first semester at the University of Bamberg the following deadline applies: 2 October 2026

• General Higher Education Entrance Qualification (in Germany: "Allgemeine Hochschulreife / Abitur") or an equivalent after 12 to 13 years of schooling
• Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in philosophy
• Sufficient language skills (English and either German or Italian)

Students whose home institution is Bamberg must pay a regular contribution for the administrative costs at the university (123 EUR per semester at present). There are no additional tuition fees during the student's stay at the host institution. A "Semesterticket" for public transport in the city of Bamberg is included (more information here).

Bamberg is still one of the cheaper student cities. In 2021, the average rent was 410 EUR per month (source: 22nd Social Survey of the German Studierendenwerk). Since then, rents and, above all, energy and heating costs have risen sharply, so the cost of an apartment is likely to be higher.

Students may be employed as student assistants within the university. Other employment alternatives outside the university are possible.

Students can receive support through the Erasmus programme of their home university.

Bamberg's housing market has changed considerably in recent years. The demand for private accommodations is quite high, and rent prices continue to increase. The common trend seen in many cities, and particularly in university cities, is now quite apparent in Bamberg, too.

It is thus advisable to begin looking for a flat as early as possible and to be patient, as the process can take quite a while. It also pays to check listings in the local newspaper (Fränkischer Tag), submit an announcement that you are looking for accommodation, or explore the numerous online housing portals.

www.uni-bamberg.de/en/studies/living-studying/living-in-bamberg/

Since the founding of the University of Bamberg in 1647, it is the people who have been its top priority. The close proximity of students and instructors provides for excellent advisory services, personal communication and interdisciplinary studies.

The University of Bamberg, with about 10,500 students, is among Germany's medium-sized universities. The university currently offers roughly 100 programmes at the Bachelor's and Master's level.

The university’s main areas of academic focus lie in the humanities, social sciences, economics, business administration and human sciences. These are rounded out by numerous programmes in application-oriented computer science. The premises of the four faculties are concentrated in three main locations that are easily reached by bicycle or via the local network of bus routes.

One of the University of Bamberg's main strengths is its commitment to a focus on international studies. The university’s International Office maintains exchange programmes with approximately 350 universities in nearly 60 countries worldwide.

There are currently about 1,950 foreign students from 100 countries enrolled at the University of Bamberg. The range of courses offered at the university reflects this focus on international studies. Degree programmes in fields like international business administration and management, European economic studies, or the joint Master’s degree in English and American Studies all require that students spend up to one year studying abroad. Furthermore, international students receive a great deal of support outside the classroom.

In order to help visiting students from around the globe become better integrated and acquainted with daily life, the International Office organises a tandem programme that brings together local and foreign students.

The university's international guests also have the opportunity to participate in an extensive programme of excursions and events meant to present a broader experience of life in Germany, even beyond the city of Bamberg. An international "Stammtisch" provides students with the opportunity to socialise and share experiences.

https://www.uni-bamberg.de/en/study/

https://www.uni-bamberg.de/en/

https://www.uni-bamberg.de/en/studies/living-studying/

Located in Northern Bavaria, it is easy to travel to and from Bamberg using many different means of transport. For those travelling by car, the city can be reached from all directions via the A70 and A73 motorways. Bamberg's railway station is also a stop on the ICE line between Munich and Berlin, which means that both cities can be reached in about two and a half hours without changing trains. Nuremberg, Bavaria's second-largest city, is approximately 45 minutes away by train, and its international airport provides flights to destinations worldwide.

www.uni-bamberg.de/en/studies/living-studying/mobility/